Kids First Childcare Financial Assistance Program is funded through a .45 % City of Aspen sales tax dedicated for housing and childcare. 

ALL families must re-apply annually at the May 1 deadline.

Applications from families not currently in the Financial Aid program will be accepted by these deadlines for aid to begin the first of the following month:

• February 1 (Aid begins March 1) 
• May 1 (Aid begins June 1) *This is the annual deadline, all families currently receiving Kids First Financial Aid must reapply*
• August 1 (Aid begins September 1) 
• November 1 (Aid begins December 1)

Applicants must supply the following information for both guardians:

1. A copy of 2024 Federal tax return. (We do not accept extension letters.)
2. A copy of all W-2’s and/or 1099's for 2024.
3. A copy of current pay stubs from all current employment.
4. If self-employed, applicants must supply a current (YTD) profit/loss statement from an accountant or professional accounting software – Quicken, QuickBooks, Wave, etc., and a complete set of 2024 business taxes. (We do not accept extensions letters.)                                                                                                     
   1. You may be asked for documentation to show that your business address is within Aspen’s Urban Growth Boundary. (Please see the MAP.)
   2. The employment verification form must be completed by the employer for both seasonal and full-time jobs. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit these forms to their employer(s) for completion.
   3. Child’s (or children’s) primary identification document (birth certificate or passport).
   4. If a parent is unable to work due to a disability, the attending physician should confirm the nature of the disability.
   5. Any disability income must be included on the financial aid application.
   6. Divorce decree, separation agreement and/or custody agreement (if applicable).

     
   
   
   
   
    

Kids First - City of Aspen Childcare Financial Aid is dependent on the availability of funds. 

Families qualify for childcare financial aid based on their gross income, the cost of childcare, the number of days a child attends childcare, and the number of children in childcare. 

To see if you may qualify go to https://www.aspen.gov/316/Financial-Aid to utilize our childcare financial aid calculator. 

Additional qualification requirements: 

• The application must be signed and dated.
• All documents required must be on file to be considered a complete application.
• Any fraud or misrepresentation made by families to Kids First may disqualify them for current and future consideration. The City of Aspen reserves the right to prosecute any fraud or misrepresentation.
• Applications received after the deadline will be considered the following quarter. New applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified during the month following the application deadline.
• Families receiving financial assistance from Kids First are responsible for reporting any changes in income, days using care, childcare provider, pay rate, work schedule, or family number/status.
• After the initial application, families will be required to re-apply annually every May 1.

Parents are eligible to apply if you:

• Are the parent/legal guardian of a child (or children) under 5 years of age that attends a licensed childcare program in Pitkin County. 
• Live in the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary or are employed by an employer with a physical address located within the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary. (Aspen Urban Growth Boundary Map.)
• Qualify financially. 
• Work during the hours your child receives care.
• Both parents/guardians must be working and/or attending college on the days assistance is awarded. If a parent is attending college or working an overnight shift, you may qualify for childcare financial aid. (Additional information will be required; please contact the Kids First Program Coordinator for inquiries about this special circumstance.)

Who Qualifies – How Much Help Will I Get?

• Kids First Financial Aid will cover childcare for a maximum of 5 days per week. The minimum amount of financial aid awarded per day is $5.00.
• Kids First Financial Aid begins when a family exceeds the maximum income to qualify for the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCCAP). CCCAP is the first payer; Kids First pays only if the family has been determined to be over CCCAP maximum income level. If a family qualifies for CCCAP, they will not qualify for Kids First Financial Aid. Families may be referred to CCCAP and may be required to complete that process before Kids First will determine eligibility for childcare financial aid.
• Kids First Advisory Board and the City of Aspen expect that a family can pay an estimated 12% to 22% (depending on income level) of their income before taxes for childcare. Kids First reserves the right to alter the percentage of parent contributions depending on the availability of funds.
• For childcare programs to participate in Kids First Childcare Financial Aid, they must also have current agreements with the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCCAP).
• Kids First has emergency financial aid for families in crisis. A separate application and doctor’s written explanation or other verification is required. Please contact the Kids First Program Coordinator if you think you may qualify.

Hours Worked to Qualified Days of Financial Aid Ratio:

• 8-15 hours/week: You may qualify for 2 days of financial aid.
• 16-22 hours/week: You may qualify for 3 days of financial aid.
• 23-28 hours/week: You may qualify for 4 days of financial aid.
• 29 + hours/week: You may qualify for 5 days of financial aid.

Income from all members of the household must be included on the financial aid application. Anyone who shares financial responsibility of the household that includes the child (children) must be listed. This may include both parents; mother and live in boyfriend; or father and live in girlfriend; grandparents; etc. In the case of divorce, the parent that is applying for financial aid must submit court documentation that shows what each parent is responsible for paying. Child support is included as income. Until a divorce is final, financial information and complete tax returns for both parents will be used to determine the need for financial aid. 

How does this work with the childcare program I use?

• Kids First Financial Aid is paid directly to the early childhood program for each participating child. Days funded include days missed through no fault of the parent (i.e. sick day, holidays when the program is closed, etc.). Kids First expects that in most cases sick days can be made up. Financial aid will pay for up to three sick days a month. If your child misses more than 3 days a month, those days may not be eligible for financial aid. In the case of extended illness, a written statement from a doctor is required.
• Any days missed within the control of the parent (i.e. family trips/vacations), will not be paid with financial aid and the family is responsible for payment of the full tuition to the childcare program.
• Families are responsible for paying any amount due to the childcare program that is not paid by Kids First Financial Aid. To continue to receive assistance from this program, families must be current in their payments to providers or risk losing Kids First Financial Aid.                                                                                                    
  • If the applicant’s balance to a childcare program is unpaid for more than 30 days, Kids First Financial Aid will be placed on a probationary status.
  • If the applicant’s balance to a childcare program is unpaid for 60 days, financial aid will be terminated. Applicants may reapply the quarter after the balance is paid in full to the childcare program. 
  • Applicants may only reapply for Kids First Financial Aid with a new childcare program when all payments to other childcare programs are paid in full.
  • Up to $150 per qualifying child may be provided annually for activity fees. The childcare provider must request this funding. The child must attend on the day the activity takes place. The activity fee will be paid to the provider.
  • Kids First expects that families receiving childcare financial aid will fully participate in their child’s childcare program. Childcare programs depend on parent participation in many ways. Parent involvement in an early childhood program is a key indicator of quality and a primary component of the child’s successful learning in future years.
  • The Financial Aid Committee meets quarterly to review applications for financial aid. This committee is charged with interpreting these policies and determining if financial aid is to be awarded. The committee may grant exceptions to any specific rules set forth herein. Decisions of the Financial Aid Committee are final.
  • Families with more than one child in childcare will receive 100% of the qualifying financial aid for all qualifying children.